HC Deb 19 March 1971 vol 813 cc408-10W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research projects on bridges are now in hand, and if he will list them.

Mr. Peyton

The research projects on bridges now in hand at the Road Research Laboratory are:

  1. A. Dynamic Effects
    1. 1. The fatigue life of steel decks.
    2. 2. The effect of various surfacings on the stresses in steel decks under wheel loads.
    3. 3. Vibration characteristics of bridge decks under dynamic loading.
    4. 4. Effects of vibration on bridges and the definition of acceptable limits of frequency and amplitude.
  2. B. Structural Analysis
    1. 1. Methods of analysis for bridge decks of complex form.
    2. 2. Model testing for bridge decks.
    3. 3. Limit state design and ultimate load behaviour of bridge elements.
    4. 4. Techniques for optimised design of bridge decks.
  3. C. Structural Performance (Components)
    1. 1. Criteria for the design of structural and expansion joints and of bearings using poly-tetra-fluoro-ethylene (PTFE) and rubber.
    2. 2. Effect of earth and fill pressures on abutments and retaining walls.
    3. 3. Criteria for design of bridge parapets against impact from vehicles.
    4. 4. Protection of steel bridges against corrosion.
  4. D. Structural Performance (Movements)
    1. 1. Effects of thermal movement and stresses.
    2. 2. Movements in concrete due to creep and shrinkage.
    3. 3. Field behaviour of structures during and after construction.
    4. 4. Effects on bridge superstructures and substructures of differential settlement in the foundations.
  5. E. Structural Concrete
    1. 1. Durability of structural concrete and its protection by waterproofing systems.
    2. 2. Behaviour of concrete structures in both the elastic and inelastic range of stress.
    3. 3. Determination of the flexural and torsional stiffness of various forms of bridge deck under elastic and collapse conditions.
    4. 4. Efficiency of structural connections between precast concrete units.
    5. 5. Local behaviour of concrete decks under point loading.

The Building Research Station have not undertaken any research directly connected with bridges for a number of years but much of their structural work is of value in bridges and would not be repeated at the Road Research Laboratory.

The following items are of particular interest:

  1. 1. Behaviour of shear connectors in composite beams under dynamic loading.
  2. 2. The formation of cracks in concrete and their effects on reinforcement and the behaviour of elements in which they occur.
  3. 3. Effect of the geometry of deformations on the behaviour of deformed reinforcing bars.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which Government research organisations are engaged on bridge research.

Mr. Peyton

Amongst the research organisations for which I am responsible bridge research is carried out by the Road Research Laboratory. Other structural research which has application in bridges is undertaken at the Building Research Station for which I am also responsible.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the annual expenditure incurred on bridge research at each Government-financed establishment.

Mr. Peyton

Bridge Research is carried on at the Road Research Laboratory and in the financial year ending in March, 1971 amounts to £350,000 including £40,000 on extra mural research at universities.